Key Facts
• June 27, 2025: Government approved emergency response plan for Kashiwazaki-Kariwa plant.
• Located in Niigata Prefecture, the plant is operated by Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO).
• Concerns raised over simultaneous earthquake, heavy snow, and nuclear accident risks.
• Emergency plan includes police, fire, and military support for snow removal and evacuation.
• Residents within 5–30 km radius (UPZ) advised to shelter indoors or evacuate if necessary.
• Ministers agreed to strengthen evacuation routes and coordinate specific measures.
• TEPCO prioritizes restarting Unit 6; Unit 7’s nuclear fuel may be removed temporarily.
• Nuclear fuel already loaded in Units 6 and 7 despite pending local consent.
• TEPCO emphasizes nuclear power’s necessity for Japan’s energy needs.
Summary
The Japanese government has approved an emergency response plan for TEPCO’s Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear plant, aiming to address potential risks from earthquakes, heavy snow, and nuclear accidents. The plan includes support from police, fire services, and the military for evacuation and snow removal. Residents within a 5–30 km radius are advised to shelter indoors or evacuate if necessary. TEPCO, emphasizing the importance of nuclear energy, is prioritizing the restart of Unit 6, while considering removing nuclear fuel from Unit 7. Local consent, a key requirement for restarting operations, remains pending.
